The Illinois road test
A plain-language guide, checked against the Illinois Secretary of State: who the test is for, what to bring, how it is scored, and what a retake really costs.
The rule that decides your path
The Illinois road test, also called the behind-the-wheel or driving skills test, is the final exam the IL Secretary of State gives before it issues a driver's license. New drivers can take the Illinois driving test at 16, after logging 50 hours of supervised driving. Parallel parking is not scored on the Illinois test.
Illinois sets a specific pre-license education step every new driver has to clear. Under-18 drivers have graduated-licensing restrictions on night driving, passengers, and cell phone use.
Below you'll find the full Illinois road test requirements: who qualifies, what to bring, how examiners score the drive, and the retake rules if you don't pass the first time. On our Driving Index, Illinois's written knowledge test ranks tied for 7th-hardest of 51.
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Supervised hours before the Illinois road test
These are hours you spend driving with a licensed adult, usually a parent, before you can take the test. Keep a log as you go, on paper or in an app, because the state can ask to see it. Practice in a mix of conditions, day and night, highways and quiet streets, rain and clear weather, and get the night hours in early, since those are the ones most people leave to the last minute.
What to bring to the Illinois road test
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Documents
Your vehicle must have
Who comes with you. Only the examiner rides with you during the exam. No children or pets in the vehicle or left unattended.
If you fail the Illinois road test
Illinois doesn't set a fixed wait before you can try again, but you'll need to book another appointment.
Beyond any fee, a retry usually means another day off work or school, another ride to the office, and another car to borrow, so failing costs far more than it looks on paper.
Passing on the first try is the cheapest way through. A first license runs $30 for ages 21 to 68; $5 for ages 18 to 20 and 69 to 80.
How the Illinois road test is scored
Graded on starting, backing, a turnabout, parking and starting on both uphill and downhill grades, and overall control. There is no numeric score.
Mistakes that end the test right away
Do any of these and the examiner stops the drive, no matter how well the rest went.
- You will automatically fail the exam if you commit any traffic violations or any dangerous actions.
- During the driving exam, you and the examiner must wear safety belts, as required by law.
Before the road test
Pass the Illinois written test on your first try
Nearby road-test guides.
Six more states, neighbours first, then the closest matches on test difficulty.
Test specifications, fees and laws change. This guide was last verified July 2026; always confirm current requirements with the IL Secretary of State (www.ilsos.gov) before booking a test. DMV IQ is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with any state DMV, DPS, MVD, or BMV.
Spot an error? Email [email protected] and we'll get it corrected.
Sources for this guide (4 official IL Secretary of State pages)
- Eligibility: https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/teen-driver-safety/gdl.html
- What to bring: https://www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a112.pdf
- Test format: https://www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a112.pdf
- Scoring: https://www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a112.pdf
- Retakes: https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/faq.html
- Fees: https://www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a229.pdf
- Handbook (2026): https://www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a112.pdf
Current as of 2026-07-16. Official Illinois sources only; anything the state does not publish is left out rather than guessed.